Plans for Autumn COVID booster jab

[Lynnikins]

Here are the current plans for a booster jab.

news.sky.com/story/covid-19-who-will-get-a-booster-coronavirus-vaccine-first-and-when-12370724

A study from Oxford university is suggesting that, while a 3rd dose given at a much longer interval increases antibodies, a booster may not be needed for those who originally had AZ as "antibody response to COVID-19 remains high for almost a year after one dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine".

Of course, some countries used a shorter interval between doses, which may affect efficacy.

And as PP said, it would be helpful to know what's going on with other immune system mechanisms, rather than just trying to keep antibody levels high.

Lagirl20 not frontline health & social, but we qualified alongside them and received a different booking link to the NHS one most had. Haven't heard anything yet, although, I'm not in a panic as it was very easy to book an appointment - both DH and myself had our vaccines within 24 hours of receiving link. Work pay for my flu vaccine, so that's already booked for end September. I'd prefer to have my covid booster separately, so hopefully that'll follow after.

I think we need to know which vaccine was given to the hospitalised double jabbed.

AZ study you refer to above @amicissimma suggesting AZ antibodies stay long time. Yet other reports saying AZ produces less antibodies in the first place.

I think we should give mRNA booster jabs to all CV and over 40s.

@Tealightsandd AZ has consistently been a slow burner, showing a lower response than MRNA at first but AB continuing to increase over time, hence the benefit of the 12 week gap.
I had a slow antibody response due to being immunosuppressed. I have been advised that those with reduced response should ask for a different vaccine to the original, whichever it was, as mixing gives better protection.

That's true. AZ takes longer to build protection.

It's still very much worth having. All vaccines are cutting risk of hospitalisation and death by at least 50%.

Yes you're right. Studies have suggested strong protection if mix AZ first with booster of mRNA. Angela Merkel had AZ followed by Moderna.

@Gothichouse40

I don't understand all this. We were told only a few months/ weeks ago that mixing vaccines was not recommended, but now it is? I was under the impression that two vaccinations was going to be enough. Why do the over 50s etc need a third? Why do the goal posts with these vaccines keep changing? Im rather concerned about all this as I was very ill with my first vaccination ( in hospital). I went ahead with my 2nd which thankfully was ok. I really do not want to be anyone's 'guinea pig'. Can any one on here with a medical background tell me what is going on and just how safe is it to be mixing these vaccines?

We have never been told that mixing vaccines wasn’t recommended In fact, the researchers have been saying from the start that they believed a combination of vaccinations would be even more effective, and so they were going to do ongoing trials to assess this.

@Manzanilla55

I have never taken the flu jab as I never get the flu but am willing to have the covid booster.

Excellent logic!

Manzanilla55

I have never taken the flu jab as I never get the flu...

I was the same. I never took the flu jab as I never got the flu...until I did. Now I have the flu jab. I don't want that again!

They need to start looking at B and T cells rather than antibodies to show longer immunity.

Is it very difficult to do this? If not - why have they not started looking at this yet?

@Dustyboots

They need to start looking at B and T cells rather than antibodies to show longer immunity.

Is it very difficult to do this? If not - why have they not started looking at this yet?

I believe it is much harder to look at T cells. I am doing AB tests for Covidence research study and they are testing a very small number of people for T cells but it's much more difficult and expensive I believe.

‘We will never vaccinate the world, in truth. Many will abstain and some places won’t have the infrastructure for a comprehensive rollout. Variants will happen, and are often generated in immune-compromised people anyways.’

Exactly. Thanks for speaking some sense @IndigoC!

They need to start looking at B and T cells rather than antibodies to show longer immunity

Is it possible that it's better to suppress rather than boost T cells when it comes to Covid?

Overactive immune system - the cytokine storm - is what makes some Covid patients so sick and die.

Several immunosuppressants are already being used as part of Covid treatment. Steroids like dexamethasone and budesonide, and biologics like tocilizumab.

Interesting summary of potential treatments here.

www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/treatments-for-covid-19

I guess, with the B and T cells, it's a balancing act? Strong enough to fight off initial infection, but not so strong that they go into overdrive.